President M Abdul Hamid yesterday urged the business community to come forward to create more job opportunities for the country's youths.

“Thousands of meritorious youths come out successful every year with higher studies…it is urgent to create job opportunities for them and you have to come forward in this regard,” he said.

The president was addressing the opening session of a 24th Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF-2019) at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the afternoon. Stressing on the need for setting up new industries and factories in the country to utilise the comparative facilities and explore its potentials, the president said, “This will help enhance employment generation and investment”.

He further called upon both the local and foreign investors to explore the potentials of Blue Economy as the government's marine-based economic activities have opened a new horizon of progress.

The month-long Dhaka International Trade Fair begins on Wednesday, January 9, 2019. Photo: BSS

Abdul Hamid underscored the need for attaining expertise to expand trade and commerce, creating new markets and diversifying the country's export baskets.

“You have to take pragmatic steps to produce quality goods along with enhancing productivity, branding products, and making those more attractive,” he said. The president also urged business leaders to take necessary steps to increase export of jute and agro products, including frozen shrimp, mango and potato.

He said Bangladesh exported 750 items of products to 202 countries during fiscal 2017-18 while the export volume reached at $41 million.

Abdul Hamid hoped that the DITF would play an important role in implementing the multi-faceted economic plans, which would help accelerate the country's development.

Later, the president inaugurated the month-long DITF-2019 and visited several stalls and pavilions there.

The Ministry of Commerce and Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) jointly organised the trade fair, which will remain open for all from 10:00am to 10:00pm every day.

A total of 550 stalls and pavilions, including 60 premium pavilions, 38 premium mini pavilions, 20 reserved pavilions for women, 26 foreign pavilions, 18 general pavilions and 22 food stalls, will be set up in the fair venue.

Different business entities from India, Bhutan, Pakistan, China, the United States, the United Kingdom, Nepal, Australia, Germany, Hong Kong, Thailand, Vietnam, the Maldives, Mauritius, Russia, Iran and Swaziland are participating in the fair.

Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi, Commerce Secretary Md Mofizul Islam, Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry President Md Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin, Export Promotion Bureau Vice-Chairman Bijoy Bhattacharjee, business leaders, secretaries concerned to the president and senior civil and military officials were, among others, present.